The City of Decatur is hosting its annual Touch a Budget expo from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31 at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St. Every one in the community is welcome at this free event. In addition to learning about the city’s plans for spending in the July 2015 – June 2016 fiscal year, the expo will feature music, food and prizes. The purpose of Touch a Budget is to engage people of all ages in the city’s budgeting process in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

New this year are the “In the Spotlight” break out sessions that focus on one department’s key projects and initiatives. Community members who are interested in hearing about a particular department are encouraged to attend the appropriate spotlight session. The “In the Spotlight” schedule is as follows:

5:00 – 5:15 Active Living and CYS

5:20 – 5:35 Community & Economic Development

5:40 – 5:55 Administrative Services

6:00 – 6:15 Police

6:20 – 6:35 Fire

6:40 – 6:55 Public Works and DEC

The popular budget bingo game returns this year, appropriate for ages 5 to 105. Public safety and public works vehicles will be parked in front of the Recreation Center for children and adults to see up close. Touch a Budget attendees will also be able to visit the Visitors’ Center tent and sign up as special events volunteers.

On Tuesday, March 24, hundreds of cyclists met at the East Lake MARTA Station to join in the annual “Georgia Rides to the Capitol” bike ride. The City of Decatur had seven employees who joined in the ride, and were escorted by Atlanta Motorcyle Police and our own Officer Lindsey on motorcycle as well as Firefighters who followed us in case there was an emergency. (Luckily there wasn’t!)

Commissioner Boykin organized the Decatur leg of the ride and invited local elected officials to join us. There were many mayors and councilmen who did!

What is Georgia Rides to the Capitol? It is Georgia’s biggest one-day advocacy event! The ride is to raise support for improved conditions for bicycling in Georgia, including the development of regional systems of both on-road and off-road bicycling facilities and multi-use trails.

Join us for our first Bright at Night fitness walk this Thursday, March 26th at 7:30pm.

As part of the new “Walk Decatur – Explore, Connect and Get Fit” campaign, the Active Living Board’s Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC) has scheduled a series of walks around Decatur. The Bright at Night evening fitness walks will take place on the fourth Thursday of every month, starting this week. The walks will follow a “no drop” policy, meaning that no walkers will be left behind. This will provide an opportunity for participants of all abilities to walk for exercise in a group setting. Walks will begin and end at the Decatur Recreation Center and will include tips on pedestrian safety. Be sure to wear your brightest clothes, reflectors and lights.

This week’s walkers will receive a special Bright at Night light to wear!

The weather should be nice this weekend so get outside and enjoy Decatur!

Stroll on over to the Decatur Visitor’s Center/Decatur Arts Alliance Friday night, March 20 for the art opening Sightings 6 until 8 pm. Sightings features mixed media works by artist Terry Drahos, who divides her time between rural Nova Scotia and Atlanta. The event is free to the community.

On Saturday, Decatur Healing Arts, located in East Decatur Station, is having an open house. Stroll or bike on over to sample classes, get information on ways to stay healthy, and more. Click here for the demo schedule. Be sure to stay for my “all-levels yoga class” demo at 3:30 pm!

It will be a great weekend to pump up the tires and dust off the bike for a ride around Decatur and Avondale. Check out the Southern Bicycle League Ride Calendar for some local rides to join.

Time to recycle! Decatur Public Works located at 2635 Talley Street is holding an Electronics Recycling, Syrofoam Recycling and Shred event on Saturday, from 9 am until 1 pm. Information is here.

Stop by the Decatur Farmers Market for some fresh fruit and veggies, freshly baked bread, jams and more. Held weekly at the corner of N. McDonough and Trinity Place from 10 am until 1 pm.

Pick up or download one of the the Decatur Walking Tour brochures and explore a new part of the city. Brochures are available at the Decatur Recreation Center and the Decatur Visitor’s Center, or download one here.

On Sunday morning, join the cheering section for the Georgia Marathon in front of the Old Courthouse on Ponce. Runners will hit our city limits aorund 8 am. Be there to cheer them on! More info here.

Registration for all summer camps begins on Saturday, March 14, 8 – 11 am, online and at the Decatur Recreation Center in downtown Decatur.

Bunny slippers + coffee + WebTrac = Easy Camp Registration!

You do not have to come in person to register!! Enjoy your morning with coffee, your bunny slippers and your computer to register via WebTrac.You can find an online copy of the lastest Playbook with all the camp descriptions and registration numbers here.

New to City of Decatur Camps? Simply stop by the Recreation Center before registration day to get your household ID number and password. Paperwork must be completed in advance of registration day in order to allow online registration.

Camp Counselors have been busy planning for another great summer. Check out these videos for a preview of some of our newer camps…..

Join us as we leave the East Lake MARTA Station to converge on the Capitol. The Decatur ride (and any other cities that converge here) leave at 10:45 am with a police escort. Great time, great ride and a great purpose. Click here to pre-register and receive a free reflective leg band.